Colloidal Quantum Dot Molecules for Display Applications

Introduction

Displays are all around us. They are in smartphones, laptops, TVs, and cars and have become entwined in our everyday life with new features being added, such as the Augmented Reality technology.

Market Trends

The market strives for constant improvement in display technology performance, with better colors, thinner formats, and new functionalities. The market share of Quantum Dot (QD) displays is constantly growing because of the pure colors emitted from colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals which enable a more vibrant and colorful viewing experience.

Current Challenges

Yet, the current QD displays are inefficient, not bright enough, consume relatively high energy, and have limited pixel resolution.

Development of CQDM

In the ERC grant, we have developed a generic method of binding and fusing two QDs into a new class of CQDM (Coupled QD Molecules). This opened the path for the synthesis of novel CQDMs with varying semiconductor nanocrystal monomers (e.g., size, shape, and composition).

Proposal for Commercialization

Herein, we propose to develop this concept towards the commercialization of CQDMs as unique and novel materials for innovative high-quality displays. Such CQDMs, with two different cores each tuned to a different color, have the ability of dual-color emission, red and green, which can be controlled electrically.

Implementation in Display Technologies

A pixeled layer of these novel materials can be inserted as the emissive layer in any of the present and future-day display technologies, providing:

• Brighter and more stable displays
• More efficient displays
• A much simpler production process compared to patterned separate red-green QD pixels

Industrial Potential

Preliminary discussions with leading companies and investors have highlighted this potential, signifying that the development of this technology can be of significant industrial value.

Future Plans

We plan to pursue this within the ERC-PoC grant by two main work packages focusing on the development of both the technological and business aspects aiming towards:

1. Spinning off a company
2. Research and license agreement with a suitably chosen strategic partner.